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EPA finalizes the Nation's first greenhouse gas reporting system to begin in 2010 |
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Tuesday, 06 October 2009 |
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On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
will, for the first time, require large producers of
greenhouse gas emissions to begin
collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new
program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nations GHG emissions and
apply to roughly 10,000 facilities. The first annual reports for the largest
emitting facilities, covering calendar year 2010, will be submitted to EPA in
2011.
This is a major step forward in our effort to address
the greenhouse gases polluting our skies, said EPA Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson. For the first time, we begin collecting data from the largest
facilities in this country, ones that account for approximately 85 percent of
the total U.S.
emissions. The American public, and industry itself, will finally gain
critically important knowledge and with this information we can determine how
best to reduce those emissions.
EPAs new reporting system
will provide a better understanding of where GHGs are coming from and will
guide development of the best possible policies and programs to reduce emissions.
The data will also allow businesses to track their own emissions, compare them
to similar facilities, and provide assistance in identifying cost effective
ways to reduce emissions in the future. In addition, this comprehensive,
nationwide emissions data will help in the fight against climate change. |